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Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Save Johnny the Jig

Larry Thompson

Holywood Council candidate Larry Thompson and I have been working to save Johnny the Jig and other historic buildings across Holywood.

We recently met senior officials from the NI Environment Agency along with Tony Merrick (representing Holywood Conservation Group) to discuss plans to delist many items across Holywood including Johnny the Jig, Cultra House, Comgall House at Camphill Glencraig and the old Post Office, High Street, Holywood.

Commenting after their meeting, Larry remarked: “I found the meeting extremely useful and a valuable opportunity to argue reasons why Johnny the Jig and other buildings shouldn’t be delisted. Johnny the Jig is an iconic statue by Rosamond Praeger, a well loved and respected local artist, which forms part of Holywood’s identity and should remain listed.

Cllr Andrew Muir

We were encouraged to hear that NIEA is willing to receive any proposals for listing of buildings. I therefore used the opportunity to make the case for possible listing of the Chemist located on the corner of Church Road and High Street, Holywood.

At the conclusion of our meeting it was made clear that no final decision has been taken concerning the delistings with people welcome to write to the Environment Agency to make their feelings known. I encourage everyone to take up this opportunity, working together we can save Johnny the Jig.”

Concluding, Larry stated “During the meeting we were therefore delighted to learn that a study has recently been commissioned to examine the economic benefits associated with our Built Heritage. I hope this study will help put protection of our Built Heritage further up the agenda and that government will listen to local feeling and abandon the plan to delist Johnny the Jig.”